Make safety a habit

Habits... They're very bizarre little characteristics that we all have. Some habits are normal, you know, brushing your teeth or doing happy dances when excited (that's normal, right?). There are some habits that are a little more, ah ... Character defining. I'm not above it, I'll put myself out there, I floss my teeth in the bathroom at work -- disgusting, right? But it's just what I do ...

Some habits become obsessions, I've taken running while it's dark outside to a whole new level. Kelly posted about headlamps and how to shop for them earlier this week (last week, life is flying by a little too fast night now ...). In the spirit of full disclosure, this time last year, I was not doing much -- if any -- running outside, and a headlamp, on my head. Negative, never going to happen, I am far too pretty for the nerdy thing. I often mocked my at the time boyfriend for his headlamp habits, and then Christmas came. Yes, folks, he bought me a headlamp.

Less than enthused, I respond with, "Oh thanks, you got me bike lights." (sidenote: I wasn't particularly into my bike at the time either -- that said, I'm still not that into my bike, much quicker than walking to and from bars though ...). He laughed and corrected me, it was a headlamp. The first few times I needed it -- camping, or we went to these hot springs, I wore it around my wrist, true story.

Around February I had become obsessed with running outside -- and my fashion faux pas headlamp had become my fashion forward safety device. I didn't go on a run that might possibly get dark without it.

Since then the paranoia of not being seen by someone bigger than me has grown. Now, when I run I carry my ID, usually my headlamp, a reflective vest and my most treasured possession, my Road ID. I get I sound crazy -- like I'm fairly sure I'm going to die while on a run, that's actually not the case at all. I'm not afraid to run in the dark (possibly because I am glowing in all directions) and I'm not afraid that I will be ran over by a car. I'm a sidewalk stop at crosswalks kind of girl. Cautious beyond belief --- but what if ...?

What I'm saying is that we all have running habits. We all have to tie our shoes, pick our Luna Moons (of Gu in the case of some of you) out -- there are things we all do. So why isn't grabbing a headlamp and Road ID part of your routine? I get so frustrated when I'm driving home and I see a cyclist in the middle of the road without lights, excuse me, Sir, would you prefer I took you out, or would you like to wait for the person behind me? But you know, as runners, we should be abiding by the same rules -- we're fast, we dart in and out of shadows and it is our responsibility to make ourselves visible, both to traffic and pedestrians.

Sure, someone may laugh at you, and your super speed of light -- that's fun, be light hearted, but roadkill? No one thinks that's funny. And seriously guys, if I continue seeing runners in the dark in all black (which is ironically my attire of choice -- topped with reflectives of all sorts), I will publish another rant.